The Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North, which took place for a week, generated an impressive $327,000 last month. Zaheen Ibrahim, the president of the festival committee, expressed her gratitude during a thanksgiving event held in Labasa on Saturday, citing that seven months of dedicated preparation contributed to the successful outcome of the festival.
The event was hosted at Subrail Park in Labasa from August 31 to September 7, and Ms. Ibrahim is noted as the first female president of the festival committee. She highlighted the importance of the relationships built with volunteers and supporters in ensuring the festival’s success.
“It is a time to appreciate the hard work, resilience, and dedication of our committee members,” Ms. Ibrahim stated. She acknowledged the committee’s ability to overcome challenges throughout the preparation process and expressed her recognition of their efforts.
During the event, special plaques and certificates were awarded to the committee members, with Ms. Ibrahim thanking major sponsor Vodafone Fiji and other corporate partners who contributed financially to the festival. She emphasized the crucial role sponsors played in the festival’s success and expressed hope for continued support in the future.
Nilesh Singh, head of recharge and operations at Vodafone, who was the chief guest, confirmed the company’s commitment to ongoing partnership, noting that community outreach is essential for connecting with local residents.
Ms. Ibrahim mentioned that the festival improved the quality of performances by selecting high-caliber contestants who showcased their talents throughout the week. Acknowledgment was also given to the contestants’ families for motivating them to excel.
Additionally, funds from the festival’s charity chest have been allocated for projects including the construction of a washroom facility at Subrail Park ground two and the donation of musical equipment to Nabala Secondary School, with more projects expected to commence soon.